Independent Research Demonstrates ShotSpotter’s Impact, Effectiveness, Success and Value in Winston-Salem
SoundThinking, Inc. announces published independent research that demonstrates benefits of ShotSpotter in Winston-Salem, including lives saved, reduction in violent crime, enhanced evidence collection and an estimated return of $26 for every dollar spent.
SoundThinking Letter to Officials
The Impact of ShotSpotter Deployment in Winston-Salem, NC 2024
ShotSpotter and Winston-Salem: Working Together to Save Lives and Take Firearms Off the Streets
SoundThinking’s report relies on an independent academic study authored by the Center for Crime Science and Violence Prevention at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The Center found that over its three-year deployment in Winston-Salem, ShotSpotter has:
- Directed WSPD to 27 gunshot victims who then received medical aid from first responders. WSPD had publicly stated that at least two of these victims’ lives were saved because of ShotSpotter.
- Reduced aggravated assaults and homicides within ShotSpotter’s coverage area by 24%. This compares to a 2% increase in aggravated assaults and homicides in the areas of Winston-Salem where ShotSpotter is not deployed.
- Led to the recovery of 3,476 shell casings within ShotSpotter's coverage area (3 square miles). 3,597 shell casings were recovered across the entire city (134 square miles) during the same period, suggesting that ShotSpotter increases evidence collection by 4,400%.
- Saved Winston-Salem $8.4 to $8.8 million annually due to a decrease in aggravated assaults and homicides. This yields a return of approximately $26 for every $1 invested in ShotSpotter.